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Modern energy systems are large distributed systems and, as a rule, contain energy storage systems and, in particular, hydrogen batteries and hydrogen production systems. The use of hydrogen for energy transportation has recently been actively studied in a number of scientific projects. To ensure continuous operation of instrumentation and control equipment on long hydrogen pipelines (gas and cryogenic), it is important to ensure constant autonomous power supply to these systems. This can be solved using micromechanical energy microgeneration systems for the uninterrupted operation of various sensors, which are installed in large numbers on almost all elements of the structure and infrastructure. In addition, an important area of scientific research is the revision of the concepts and appearance of traditional devices of modern renewable energy: windmills, solar cells, turbines, etc. Fundamentally new energy devices are on the agenda, capable of recovering mechanical energy of any power and supplying it to the consumer in the form of a given specific energy flow. Collection of chaotically distributed natural energy of the environment (mechanical energy in the form of: vibrations, acoustic vibrations, wave energy, gusts of wind, tornadoes, precipitation, vibrations of the earth's crust, etc.), as well as collection of dissipated energy from artificial sources (iron and automobile highways, airstrips, spaceports, production facilities, etc.) with the help of mechanical microgenerators will allow the recovery and conversion of mechanical energy of various powers, including low power, into a universal energy carrier - hydrogen. Mechanical vibrations of artificial origin are of particular interest due to their widespread use for domestic and industrial purposes in a wide range of vibrations. The energy of mechanical vibrations can be collected and converted into electrical energy using piezoelectric, electromagnetic, triboelectric or electrostatic (capacitive) energy converters. Electrostatic microelectromechanical energy converters are considered the most promising among other energy converters, since their manufacturing processes are based on standard technology for the production of integrated circuits and microelectromechanical systems. Energy conversion by an electrostatic converter is carried out due to an external mechanical force that does work against the force of attraction of the charged electrodes of a variable capacitor. To transfer the received electrical energy to the load of the consuming device, the electrostatic converter is connected to the corresponding electrical circuits (conditioning circuits). Such a system as a whole is a kind of microgenerator or energy collector. Microenergy flow recovery systems integrated into large energy systems will ensure the collection and recovery of significant amounts of energy for remote energy consumers. At the same time, the concept of a distributed mechanical energy recovery system is quite simple: a mechanical energy receiver - a converter into electrical energy - a preliminary electrical storage device - an energy distributor - an electric energy accumulator - an electrolyser - a hydrogen accumulator - a fuel cell. To optimize the operation of the working circuit, including preliminary electrical systems for energy storage and conversion: capacitors and electric energy accumulators, electrolyzers; To ensure their durability and reliability, flexible automatic control of electrical power distribution is necessary. The real work was done to solve that problem. In addition, for extended and large power facilities it is important to ensure widespread sensory control of system parameters. At the same time, if all sensors receive power from an autonomous energy-generating device, then the costs of creating extended communications for instrumentation will be sharply reduced. In addition, the reliability of the control system will significantly increase. The results of studying operation features of a kinetic microgenerator with reduced output voltage are presented. The performance of a multi-stage modified Bennet doubler is compared to a system including a two-stage modified Bennet doubler and a diode-capacitor voltage divider. It is shown that with an increase of the number of stages in the modified Bennet doubler, the conversion of mechanical energy into electrical energy becomes less and less efficient. At the same time, for achieving the maximum energy accumulation rate (power), a two-stage power amplifier based on the Bennet doubler is preferable. It is established that when analyzing the operation of a diode-capacitor voltage divider, it is necessary to take into account the intrinsic (reverse) capacitances of the discharging diodes affecting the divider operation significantly. The divider behavior features while changing the load resistance and the intrinsic capacitances of the discharge diodes are found and analyzed. Analytical expressions linking the main characteristics of the microgenerator as a whole with the parameters of the electronic components used are derived. It is shown that for expanding the range of the "correct" division of the divider, it is necessary to use discharge diodes with minimal intrinsic capacitances, and also that connecting a load to the Bennet doubler as a voltage divider changes the permissible capacitance modulation depth of the variable capacitor. This paper examines the concepts of creating large energy-generating flows based on arrays of micromechanical energy converters placed on optimal energy-efficient receiving surfaces and analyzes the issues of cryogenic production, storage, consumption and transportation of hydrogen. Stationary and mobile cryogenic storage systems for hydrogen are considered. Much attention is paid to the safety of large cryogenic and gas hydrogen systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, renewable energy sources are integral to programs for the development of electric power systems. It is established that modern renewable generation units and energy storage systems utilize power electronic-based interfaces, such as voltage source converters, to convert power. On the one hand, the utilization of a voltage source converter provides certain advantages, such as the absence of a direct link to the network, the ability to operate on all quadrants of the PQ diagram, and the possibility of connecting renewable generation units to a weak network. On the other hand, the widespread use of renewable generation units utilizing voltage source converters reduces the overall inertia of the electric power system. However, excessive use of power electronic converters in the network leads to a significant increase in harmonic pollution, thereby introducing fresh challenges to ensuring safe and stable operation of the electric power system. To ensure the dependable operation of an electric power system with renewable energy sources units and energy storage systems based on the voltage source converter, it is essential to update the control system of the voltage source converter to meet the requirements for traditional generation as part of the electric power system. This paper presents the outcome of the power oscillation damping controller application implemented in the voltage source converter, which enhances the electric power system's stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Designing self-sufficient renewable energy systems is becoming a key issue in the energy sector due to modern energy goals. Due to the variability of renewable energy sources, very often it is necessary to adopt hybrid configurations of renewable energy systems and advanced energy storage to achieve self-sufficiency. However, the adoption of complex and novel systems, including technologies as photovoltaic, wind turbines, biomass gasifiers, hydrogen energy storage, must to be founded on a comprehensive analysis of the system operation under different conditions and its energy and economic performance in the investigated case study. Therefore, the aim of the present paper is carry out a comprehensive feasibility analysis of a novel hybrid renewable energy system achieving a high self-sufficiency level. The system integrates a wind turbine and photovoltaic panels to match the energy load of a tourist resort in Agkistro, Greece. Energy exceeding the load is directed to the energy storage system based on the battery and hydrogen tank. As backup energy source, a wood gasifier is used. The investigation is performed by means of a numerical model developed in TRNSYS software allowing one to simulate dynamically the system and to assess its energy and economic performance. The goal achieved during the simulation of the system was to ensure at least 97% of energy demand from renewable sources. Moreover, a parametric analysis of the storage system is presented. It is found that payback period of the installation varies in the range between 11 and 15 years, for systems configurations allowing to satisfy 90–98% of the users energy yearly demand from renewables. The achieved results allows one to evaluate the feasibility of the proposed system from both an energy and economic point of view. • Island energy systems in Greece. • Hybrid energy system with both battery and hydrogen energy storage. • 97% reduction of energy produced from fossil fuels with 30% of energy curtailed. • Parametric study concerning sizes of the energy storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen is seen as a key energy vector in future energy systems due to its ability to be stored in large volumes for long periods, providing energy flexibility and security. Despite the importance of storage in hydrogen's potential role in a zero-carbon energy system, many techno-economic analyses fail to adequately model different storage methods in hydrogen supply chains, often ignoring storage requirements altogether. Therefore, this paper uses a data-driven techno-economic analysis (TEA) tool to examine the effect of storage size and cost on three different 2030 hydrogen supply chain scenarios: wind-based, solar-based, and mixed-source grid electrolysis. For varying storage sizes and specific capital costs, the overall levelised cost of hydrogen (LCOH), including production, storage, and delivery to a constant demand, varies significantly. The LCOH ranges from €3.90–12.40/kgH 2 , €5.50–12.75/kgH 2 , and €2.80–15.65/kgH 2 for the wind-based, solar-based, and mixed-source grid scenarios respectively, with lower values for scenarios with low-cost storage. This highlights the critical role of low-cost hydrogen storage in realising the energy flexibility and security electrolytic hydrogen can provide. • Techno-economic analysis tool examines the effect of storage on hydrogen production. • Wind-based, solar-based, and grid electricity-based electrolysis scenarios examined. • Production only cost of hydrogen decreases by up to 35% with increasing storage size. • Up to 56 days of storage required to supply renewable hydrogen at a constant hourly rate. • Overall cost of renewable hydrogen in 2030 varies from €2.80–15.65/kgH 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The superabsorbent polymer (SAP) of the disposable diaper, which could serve as a substrate for pathogen growth, was valorized into nanostructured carbon through chemical activation for electrochemical hydrogen storage. The Box-Behnken experimental design was employed to elucidate the effects of activation conditions. Optimization results show that activation temperature and KOH:SAPC molar ratio had a greater impact on the textural and morphological characteristics of the nano-activated carbon. The best electrode material exhibited a surface area of 2552 m2/g, a total pore volume of 1.28 cm³/g, a total micropore volume of 0.871 cm³/g, and a pore size of 1.32 nm. The galvanostatic charge/discharge curves indicate that only higher current densities of 1 and 2 A/g could achieve a faster release of stored hydrogen in approximately 4 min. The best material stored hydrogen mainly through the electric double-layer mechanism, and the specific capacity reached 1878 mAh/g (6.60 wt% of H 2), which ranks among the best-reported hydrogen storage capacities with activated carbon. • Diaper waste was used as a sustainable precursor to prepare activated carbon. • Abundant micropores and high surface area allowed high hydrogen storage capacity. • Higher current density achieved faster release of adsorbed hydrogen atoms. • The mechanism of hydrogen storage is mainly electric double layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a two-layer hierarchical control strategy for an isolated DC microgrid with a hybrid energy storage system is considered. The DC microgrid studied is composed of a short-term battery energy storage system, long-term hydrogen-based energy storage system and renewable energy resources. The proposed control strategy, combines concepts of Interconnection and Damping Assignment Passivity-Based Control (IDA-PBC) as a primary level and Model Predictive Control (MPC) as a supervisory level. The IDA-PBC layer guarantees a correct power balance and ensures global stability according to Lyapunov theory, considering the non-linear behavior of the physical system. On the other hand, the MPC layer calculates the reference signals for the primary level, ensuring null stationary error in the desired variables. As known, it is important to keep the electrolyzer, the fuel cell and the batteries in a safe operating mode to increase their useful life and guarantee the quality of the hydrogen produced. In this sense, the benefits of MPC are exploited by considering system constraints in the controller design. The main objective of the two-layer control strategy is to ensure the supply of electrical energy to the loads and quality in the electrical variables of the network. Representative simulation results under demanding conditions verify the effectiveness of combining IDA-PBC and MPC for this class of problems. • An isolated MG with H2 storage, typical structure of a refueling station, was modeled. • The hierarchical control strategy successfully combines IDA-PBC and MPC techniques. • The IDA-PBC ensures the stability of the nonlinear and complex MG. • Supervisor MPC ensures zero stationary error and safe operating mode of the MG. • The control confirms that H2 storage integrated with RES contributes to MG stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimal energy management of microgrids enables efficient integration of renewable energies by considering all system flexibilities. For systems with significant seasonal imbalance between energy production and demand, it may be necessary to integrate seasonal storage in order to achieve fully decarbonized operation. This paper develops a novel model predictive control strategy for a renewable microgrid with seasonal hydrogen storage. The strategy relies on data-based prediction of the energy production and consumption of an industrial power plant and finds optimized energy flows using a digital twin optimizer. To enable seasonal operation, incentives for long-term energy shifts are provided by assigning a cost value to the storage charge and adding it to the optimization target function. A hybrid control scheme based on rule-based heuristics compensates for imperfect predictions. With only 6% oversizing compared to the optimal system layout, the strategy manages to deliver enough energy to meet all demand while achieving balanced hydrogen production and consumption throughout the year. • PV with seasonal H 2 storage enables fully sustainable operation of industrial microgrids. • Model predictive control overcomes perfect foresight limitation in energy management. • H 2 production for long-term storage is incentivized by adding an extra cost term. • Hybrid predictive control enables a low cost system with nearly perfect yearly operation. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased emissions of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere has adversely been contributing to global warming as a result of burning fossil fuels. Therefore, the energy sectors have been looking into renewable sources such as wind, solar, and hydro energy to make electricity. However, the strongly fluctuating nature of electricity from such energy sources requires a bulk energy storage system to store the excess energy as a buffer and to fulfill the demand constantly. Underground storage is a proven way to store a huge amount of energy (electricity) after converting it into hydrogen as it has higher energy content per unit mass than other gases such as methane and natural gas. This paper reviews the technical aspects and feasibility of the underground storage of hydrogen into depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs, aquifers, and manmade underground cavity (caverns). Mechanisms of underground hydrogen storage (UHS) followed by numerous phenomena such as hydrodynamics, geochemical, physiochemical, bio-chemical, or microbial reactions have been deliberated. Modeling studies have also been incorporated in the literature to assess the feasibility of the process that are also reviewed in this paper. Worldwide ongoing lab study, field study together with potential storage sites have been reported as well. Technical challenges along with proper remedial techniques and economic viability have been briefly discussed. Finally, this paper delivers some feasible strategies for the underground hydrogen storage process, which would be helpful for future research and development of UHS. • Underground hydrogen storage (UHS) is comprehensively reviewed. • Potential storage sites and their characteristics are discussed. • Mechanisms of UHS are discussed. • The challenges and proper recommendations for UHS are deliberated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing share of generation from wind farms is becoming one of the challenges in maintaining the sustainability of electric power systems. System operators approve requirements for the participation of such plants in frequency and power regulation, but they do not contain requirements for specific technologies in the control of wind turbines. There are several methods of frequency and power control, which are implemented by additional control systems, the implementation of underload mode, extraction of hidden inertia, the use of energy storage devices, etc. Each of these methods has both advantages and disadvantages. In this paper we consider the combined coordinated control of type 3 wind turbines using kinetic energy and energy from hydrogen storage to provide the best frequency response in order to minimize the negative factors. A digital-analog-physical model of type 3 wind turbine is used as a model, which allows to reproduce the whole range of transients most accurately and avoid the limitations of strictly numerical simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, there is a large-scale penetration of renewable energy sources (RES) in power systems around the world, most of which are based on the power converter technology. The result of such penetration is the emergence of frequency and voltage regulation problems in power systems with RESs. An effective way to solve the mentioned problems is the use of energy storage systems (ESS), among which hydrogen ESSs are promising. However, the quality of such solution mainly depends on the approach to the power converters control. One of the most effective is a grid-forming power converter control strategy. Within this strategy, many scientific groups have proposed the concept of a virtual synchronous generator (VSG). However, the existing VSG models use a series structure with a stiff direction of signals, which completely mimics conventional synchronous generators. In this regard, the fundamental problems inherent in such a structure arise, e.g., a coupling between active and reactive power control. This paper describes a freely configurable VSG model (FC-VSG), in which the structural control blocks can be transferred from one level to another, and the levels themselves can be installed not only in series, but also in parallel. The case studies carried out made it possible to identify the configuration of the FC-VSG, which excludes the fundamental problems inherent in the conventional VSG structures. At the same time, the most efficient and reliable frequency and voltage regulation is provided, which has been proved by qualitative and quantitative comparison, including with the conventional VSG structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is a critical review of selected real-world energy storage systems based on hydrogen, ranging from lab-scale systems to full-scale systems in continuous operation. 15 projects are presented with a critical overview of their concept and performance. A review of research related to power electronics, control systems and energy management strategies has been added to integrate the findings with outlooks usually described in separate literature. Results show that while hydrogen energy storage systems are technically feasible, they still require large cost reductions to become commercially attractive. A challenge that affects the cost per unit of energy is the low energy efficiency of some of the system components in real-world operating conditions. Due to losses in the conversion and storage processes, hydrogen energy storage systems lose anywhere between 60 and 85% of the incoming electricity with current technology. However, there are currently very few alternatives for long-term storage of electricity in power systems so the interest in hydrogen for this application remains high from both industry and academia. Additionally, it is expected that the share of intermittent renewable energy in power systems will increase in the coming decades. This could lead to technology development and cost reductions within hydrogen technology if this technology is needed to store excess renewable energy. Results from the reviewed projects indicate that the best solution from a technical viewpoint consists in hybrid systems where hydrogen is combined with short-term energy storage technologies like batteries and supercapacitors. In these hybrid systems the advantages with each storage technology can be fully exploited to maximize efficiency if the system is specifically tailored to the given situation. The disadvantage is that this will obviously increase the complexity and total cost of the energy system. Therefore, control systems and energy management strategies are important factors to achieve optimal results, both in terms of efficiency and cost. By considering the reviewed projects and evaluating operation modes and control systems, new hybrid energy systems could be tailored to fit each situation and to reduce energy losses. • Review of 15 projects that use hydrogen as energy storage in a power system. • Hydrogen is one of very few alternatives for long-term electricity storage. • Hydrogen storage should in most cases be combined with battery storage. • Power-to-gas-to-power for hydrogen still has a low energy efficiency (15–40%). • Intermittent in-flow of energy and high costs are big challenges for these systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydrogen storage phase of an energy storage plant based on metallic hydrides has a strong influence on the total efficiency of storage power plants as well as on their response time. The technique presented in this paper uses a hydrogen-metal chemical bond during its storage. This paper describes a metal hydride cylinder modeled and simulated by using the main quantities involved in the adsorption and desorption processes as well as in an analysis of the influence of thermal quantities involved in these processes. As a result, a proposal for automation of the thermal exchange of the modeled cylinder is presented and the possibilities of evaluation of this technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper provides brief introduction to the National South African Program, branded HySA (Hydrogen South Africa) as well as discusses potential business cases for deployment of hydrogen and fuel cell technology in South Africa. This paper also describes some key activities in the area of hydrogen production and storage within HySA Infrastructure Center of Competence in South Africa. The content of this paper is based on the presentation given during the recent WHEC 2016 Congress in Zaragoza, Spain. More specifically, the discussion of activities at HySA Infrastructure Center of Competence in the paper includes hydrogen production and storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a research on a green power supply system (producing no carbon dioxide and other harmful emissions) in the area of Baikal Lake, for the maximum loads of 10 kW and 100 kW. The system includes photovoltaic converters, wind turbines, batteries for electric energy storage and a system for hydrogen production, storage and energy use. Calculations based on the optimization mathematical model demonstrated the efficiency of the combined use of wind and solar energy in the considered areas, as well as the simultaneous storage of electric energy and hydrogen. The electric energy storage is most efficient for short-term time intervals whereas an increase in the duration of continuous energy “standstills” up to several days makes the storage of hydrogen more cost-effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the technical and economic feasibility of using renewable energy with hydrogen as the energy storage medium for two remote communities in Bhutan, selected to illustrate two common scenarios presenting different challenges. The Royal Government of Bhutan has published plans to provide electricity to all households in the next 20 years, but the practical problems of extending the grid over long distances and mountainous terrain will make that target difficult and expensive to achieve. Consequently, the possibility of using natural energy and diversified generation is attractive. This paper examines the use of hydro power in one community and photovoltaics with wind power in another. Hydrogen is the proposed energy storage medium in both cases. Analysis suggests that it is technically possible to use renewable energy and hydrogen for diversified power supplies and that where, as here, the costs of grid extension are high, it may also be financially viable. Thus we argue that there is a good case for establishing a test and demonstration system near the capital Thimphu for further investigation prior to use in remote locations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Design of hydrogen storage systems aims at minimal weight and volume while fulfilling performance criteria. In this paper, the tubular tank configuration for hydrogen storage based on light weight hydrides is optimized towards its total weight using the predictions of a newly developed simulation model. Sodium alanate is taken as model material. A clear definition of the optimization is presented, stating a new optimization criterion: a defined total mass of hydrogen has to be charged in a given time, instead of prescribing percentages of the total hydrogen storage capacity. This yields a wider space of possible solutions. The effects of material compaction, addition of expanded graphite and different tubular tank diameters were evaluated. It was found that compaction of the material is the most influential factor to optimize the storage system. In order to obtain lighter storage systems one should concentrate on improving the ratio mass of hydride bed to mass of tank wall by screening lighter materials for the tank wall and developing hydrogen storage materials exhibiting both higher gravimetric and volumetric storage capacities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Small hybrid wind systems are capable of storing and supplying power for residential applications. In this paper, the excess wind energy is converted into hydrogen by electrolysis and is stored in a metal hydride. Metal hydride beds are known for their high volumetric capacity compared to the compressed hydrogen storage, and offers hydrogen storage at a reasonable operating temperature and pressure. A system simulation model is developed in Matlab/Simulink platform for the dynamics of the metal hydride hydrogen storage system, which is charged by the wind energy. The thermal loads of the metal hydride storage system is met by passing water at ambient temperature for cooling the bed while hydrogen is being absorbed. The effect of the transient turbulent wind velocity profile on the storage system is analyzed. The thermal management of the storage system plays an important role in the overall design, and hence it is discussed in detail. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Two metal hydride containers were built at the laboratory respecting a simple and modular design for the purpose of getting useful knowledge about the similarity of elements of metal hydride containers relevant in the prediction of larger size storage unit behaviour. In this paper, we present a description of the containers and an investigation of the parameters influencing the hydrogen storage performance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: MgH2 is one of the most promising hydrogen storage materials due to its high capacity and low cost. In an effort to develop MgH2 with a low dehydriding temperature and fast sorption kinetics, doping MgH2 with NiCl2 and CoCl2 has been investigated in this paper. Both the dehydrogenation temperature and the absorption/desorption kinetics have been improved by adding either NiCl2 or CoCl2, and a significant enhancement was obtained in the case of the NiCl2 doped sample. For example, a hydrogen absorption capacity of 5.17 wt% was reached at 300 °C in 60 s for the MgH2/NiCl2 sample. In contrast, the ball-milled MgH2 just absorbed 3.51 wt% hydrogen at 300 °C in 400 s. An activation energy of 102.6 kJ/mol for the MgH2/NiCl2 sample has been obtained from the desorption data, 18.7 kJ/mol and 55.9 kJ/mol smaller than those of the MgH2/CoCl2, which also exhibits an enhanced kinetics, and of the pure MgH2 sample, respectively. In addition, the enhanced kinetics was observed to persist even after 9 cycles in the case of the NiCl2 doped MgH2 sample. Further kinetic investigation indicated that the hydrogen desorption from the milled MgH2 is controlled by a slow, random nucleation and growth process, which is transformed into two-dimensional growth after NiCl2 or CoCl2 doping, suggesting that the additives reduced the barrier and lowered the driving forces for nucleation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effect of Cu-doping on the hydrogen storage properties of Mg95Ni5Cu x (x =0, 0.5, 1, 2) prepared by hydriding combustion synthesis and mechanical milling (HCS+MM) was studied. For dehydriding properties, the dehydriding temperature onset decreases from 450K for Mg95Ni5 to 420K for Mg95Ni5Cu2. Additionally, the activation energy for dehydriding decreases from 116kJ/mol for Mg95Ni5 to 98kJ/mol for Mg95Ni5Cu2, indicating that the dehydriding reaction is activated by the catalytic effect of Cu. Moreover, the hydrogen absorption capacity of Mg95Ni5Cu2 at 373K in 100s increases from 0.95 to 4.16wt.% by MM pretreatment before HCS. The factors for the improvement of the hydrogen storage properties are discussed in this paper. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]